Abstract: An electro-optic system having an extended dynamic power range. The dynamic power range of a Bragg cell spectrum analyzer is expanded by unevenly splitting the radiation output of the Bragg cell with a beam splitter and directing a major portion of the radiation output to a first photodiode array and a minor portion of the radiation output to a second photodiode array. The first photodiode array is utilized to detect the output of the Bragg cell until it becomes sufficiently intense to saturate it. When the first photodiode array becomes saturated, the second photodiode array, which receives a minor amount of radiation from the Bragg cell, is utilized to detect the output of the Bragg cell. Detection with the first and second photodiode arrays allows the dynamic power detection range of the system to be expanded to include the combined detection ranges of the first and second photodiode arrays.

Abstract: A Bragg cell spectrum analyzer in which the output of the Bragg cell is detected by a unique electro-optic system which allows the selection of any desired dynamic power detection range. As is known in the art, the output of a Bragg cell consists of a radiation spot or spots along a line in which the position of each spot along the line is related to the frequency of a component of the input signal to the Bragg cell, and the intensity of radiation of each spot is proportional to the strength of the component causing that spot. In the disclosed embodiment the output of the Bragg cell is directed upon a cylindrical lens system which expands each spot into a line of radiation. This results in a two dimensional pattern of lines with the position of each line being the same as the position of the radiation spot causing the line, and the intensity of radiation in each line being proportional to the intensity of radiation in the spot causing that line.